Top RB prospect decommits from Notre Dame

Elijah Hood, who is one of the best running backs and best overall players in the Class of 2014, decommitted from Notre Dame on Tuesday, as first reported by 247Sports.com.

The 6-foot, 221-pounder from Charlotte Catholic High School (Charlotte, N.C.) confirmed the news on his Twitter page. Hood's father told The Charlotte Observer that something happened to his son on a recent unofficial visit to South Bend, which ended up being a big factor in his decision to open his commitent back up.

“Something changed his mind immediately,” Vee Hood told the newspaper. “He was scared to tell us. I said there's no need to be scared. It's his decision. I told him, 'You've got to be happy wherever you choose to go.'

“I know he's not going to be going to Notre Dame, and I guess that means he's open to [all colleges] again.”

Last season, Hood rushed for 3,309 yards and scored 48 touchdowns as a junior.

Before committing to the Fighting Irish, Hood was considering offers from programs such as Georgia and Virginia Tech. He also held offers from Florida State, Michigan and Ohio State, among others. But North Carolina could now be the odds-on favorite to get his pledge because when he chose the Irish he said that he struggled with the distance of South Bend from his home. Getting a commitment from Hood would be a real coup for Larry Fedora, who is entering his second season in Chapel Hill with the Tar Heels.

Despite the decommitment of Hood, the Irish still have Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston from their 2013 class, and both are expected to be key contributors to future Irish offenses.

Dave Miller, the college football editor and writer for the National Football Post, is on Twitter @Miller_Dave.

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